Pro-Palestine Protest Closes Entrance to Disneyland
Yesterday, more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in a protest that temporarily halted vehicular traffic at Disneyland’s eastern entrance on Saturday afternoon.
The protestors aimed to draw attention to the Walt Disney Company’s financial support of Israeli aid organizations. The demonstration, which took place along Harbor Boulevard from 1 p.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m., prompted the Anaheim Police Department to close traffic in the area. According to Sgt. Jon McClintock, APD’s public information officer, the protest remained peaceful, and no arrests were made.
This marked the first pro-Palestine protest at the park, as highlighted by Rida Hamida, founder of Latino Muslim Unity, the organization leading the demonstration in collaboration with Jewish Voice for Peace, the Islamic Society of Orange County, Black Lives Matter’s Los Angeles chapter, and other local groups.
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Hamida stated, “People need to recognize that these corporations are complicit, that Disney is complicit with genocide.” Protesters held signs with messages like “Shame on Disney,” “The happiest place on Earth kills children,” and “Stop funding Israel terror,” addressing Disney’s recent $2 million donation to organizations offering humanitarian relief to Israel.
“Disney has failed to recognize, condemn or even send some type of message that is empathetic to Palestinian suffering and the genocide that’s happening in Gaza,” said Hamida. She emphasized the protesters’ message: “Shame on Disney for not seeing that Palestinian children matter, and are just as equal as Israeli children.”
Reports from Spectrum News revealed that Disneyland covered its marquee sign on Harbor Boulevard during the demonstration. Hamida believes this move was intended to dissociate the park from the protest in photos or videos.
“With today’s demonstration, our focus was on the safety and well-being of our guests, our cast members and employees, and the protestors, and we coordinated closely with public safety officials and community leaders to help maintain order,” a Disneyland spokesperson told SFGATE in a statement. The spokesperson did not comment on the park’s decision to cover its marquee sign.
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